What
is God? Theology
in conception
BR:
1 John 4:8 Song: "Oh to be like thee"
I. Introduction
A. What
amazes me about New Jersey is the diversity of the people.
B. What
is extraordinary about Christians is that there are so many levels of
spirituality.
C. What
would you think about a Christian who knew God only by 1 John 4:8?
D. What
a task ... explaining God ! Definition by A. H. Strong: "God is
the infinite and perfect Spirit in whom all things have their
source, support and end."
E. What
needs to be understood is the complexity of the subject. It would
take many, many sermons to do more than just briefly understand
God.
F. What
this lesson will attempt to do is understand God by His composition
(Godhead [Trinity]), His natural characteristics, and His moral
attributes.
II. Body
A. Understanding
God means a comprehension of the Godhead. Col 2:9
1. God
is the Father. Mal
2:10; Eph 4:6; Heb 12:9; Exo 4:22ff.; 1 Chrn 29:10
2. God
is the Son. Jn
1:1, 18; 20:28; Titus 2:13
3. God
is the Holy
Spirit. Acts
5:3-4; Jn 14:23; 1 Cor 6:19
4. God
is one,
yet three. Dt
6:4; Mk 12:29; Jn 15:1-8; 17:22f; Jn 5:18; 10:30
B. Understanding
God means considering His natural attributes.
1. God
is Spirit. Jn
4:24; Lk 24:39; Col 1:15; 1 Tim 6:16
2. God
is immutable. Heb
1:10-12; 13:8; Mal 3:6
3. God
is omnipotent. Gen
17:1; 18:14
4. God
is omniscient. Rom
11:33-36; Psa 147:5
5. God
is omnipresent. Psa
139:7-12; Gen 18:25
6. God
is eternal. 2
Pet 3:8; Rev 1:8; 1 Tim 1:17; 6:15-16
C. Understanding
God means understanding His moral attributes.
1. God
is Holy. Isa
6:1-3; Eph 4:24; Exo 15:11; Isa 57:15; Rev 15:4
2. God
is Righteous. Gen
18:25 Dt 32:4; Rom 2:6-16
3. God
is Just. Dt
32:1-4; Psa 7:9-12; Psa 89:14
4. God
is Truth. Jn
14:6; Psa 31:5; Isa 65:16
5. God
is Love. 1
Jn 4:8; Jn 3:16
6. God
is Mercy. Psa
116:5; 62:12; 2 Cor 1:3; Exo 34:6; Mic 7:18
III. Conclusion
A. There
has been much diversity of opinion concerning what God is like over
the centuries.
B. There
are many, many scriptures which explain God, but the most important
thing to remember is that understanding God begins with being known
by Him.
C. The
three things that will determine my understanding of God are:
1. My
attitude.
2. My
effort to try to understand Him.
3. My
actions as a result of trying to please Him.